Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

He's not familiar with him!

We're not familiar with each other at all!

Pikachu nodded.

The way he said it didn't sound like he was acting.

"...That's roughly the situation! Okay, what are your thoughts?"

After explaining the situation, Ash turned to the group of Pokémon, seeking their advice.

"Roar."

Charmander first looked around warily again, and then, after confirming that the cackling laughter was just his imagination, he realized that Charmander was just imagining things.

Only then did he speak.

As for fighting, that's perfectly acceptable.

But setting aside ranged attacks, it's all about hand-to-hand combat?

Then it won't work.

After all, you know Ash.

Its fighting style has always been extremely free; if it gets really desperate, it doesn't care about anything else.

Xiao Zhi nodded knowingly, without any sign of reluctance.

"That's true, this kind of competition format is really not suitable for you to perform well."

"If that's the case—"

Xiao Gang felt he had to show his loyalty at this moment, especially under Pikachu's still-lingering scrutinizing gaze.

"Butterfly is not quite suitable either."

If Charmeleon still has the ability to fight in close combat, then Butterfree has basically no such ability at all.

"Shout!"

Pidgey glanced at Butterfree, then puffed out its chest.

Let it say it!

This insect is unreliable in crucial moments!

"Oh, right."

Xiao Gang glanced at Pidgey.

He then looked at the competition rules in his hand.

"Those majoring in flight are also ineligible to participate."

"Compare shouting!?"

Isn't this discrimination against their flight major?

"Because in previous editions, some people exploited loopholes, taking advantage of the inability to launch remote attacks, and turned the competition into a contest of endurance to see who could last the longest."

Although the last person was disqualified from the competition the next day because his back was covered with footprints and it was determined that he had "fallen himself".

However, this clause was still added to the conference regulations.

I comforted Pidgey.

Xiao Zhi looked around.

"So the ones we'll be training extra these next two days are Pikachu, Krabby, and Primeape."

He paused, then took off his shirt.

"The goal is to raise your close-combat capabilities to the next level within two days."

......

The two days passed in a flash, as if someone had pressed the fast-forward button.

The morning mist still shrouded the foothills of the resort, but the area around the competition venue was already crowded with people.

Xiao Zhi stood in the contestant waiting area, checking the position of his number plate for the umpteenth time.

Ash, have your Pokémon all rested enough?

Xiaoxia asked from the side.

"Ok!"

Xiao Zhi nodded vigorously.

"Don't worry, I held back yesterday, and I didn't tire them out too much this morning."

"I have a few more words to say," a steady voice came from the direction of the main stage.

"Next are the instructions for the contestants—"

Xiao Zhi looked up.

Standing on the stage was the same staff member with bronze skin who had appeared two days prior.

He changed his clothes today.

It wasn't a uniform, but a dark gray martial arts outfit with the sleeves rolled up to the middle of the forearms and a shiny black ribbon tied around the waist.

He stood in front of the microphone, his posture as straight as a pine tree, his gaze sweeping over the hundreds of contestants below the stage.

"I am Tsunata, the chief judge and tournament supervisor of this year's 'World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament'."

His voice wasn't heavily embellished, yet it possessed a power that could penetrate the noise.

"Enough with the small talk, there are only three rules—"

He held up his finger.

"1. The use of any ranged moves is prohibited. Ranged attacks by Pokémon, throwable items by trainers, and any form of energy launch are all violations and will result in immediate disqualification."

"Second, the use of any props or drugs is strictly prohibited. Anyone found using them will be disqualified from the competition immediately."

"Third, Pokémon cannot be switched during battle. The other Pokémon will win if one loses its ability to battle, falls out of the battle, or voluntarily surrenders."

He lowered his hand.

"Apart from that, there are no other rules."

A low murmur arose from the audience.

There are no rounds or time limits—a pure, thorough contest that continues until one side falls.

Tsunada ignored the comments.

He stepped to the side and nodded slightly towards the VIP seats at the back of the stage.

"Now, please allow me to introduce the special guests of this conference—"

His voice rose a few decibels.

"Mr. Shiba, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Kanto!"

The noise of the crowd was instantly gone.

Xiao Zhi tiptoed over the crowd and looked in that direction.

In the shadows of the VIP section, a figure slowly stood up.

He was a man with broad shoulders and a wide back.

He was wearing an open jacket, revealing a tight-fitting sleeveless martial arts uniform underneath.

The muscles in his arms were not the bulging, lumpy kind, but rather strong and gnarled like old vines.

Xiao Zhi figured it out at a glance.

There's not much technology on him... This is a natural body-refining school!

His face was expressionless, his brows furrowed, as if he were deep in thought.

But just by "standing there," one can't take their eyes off the subject.

Xiao Zhi clenched his fist.

He had only ever felt that kind of composure in a very small number of people!

The fact that he can feel pressure from pure, natural body training is truly worthy of being called the Heavenly King!

But what Ash didn't know at that moment was that Shiba wasn't standing there because of composure.

It's because I'm in a daze.

He slept for less than three hours last night.

Even someone as powerful as him suffered from insomnia, a rare occurrence.

No, it's not "even if".

Perhaps it is precisely because we are powerful enough that we know what we have seen.

—The story begins two days ago.

Shiba originally didn't want to come.

However, the organizers were so generous and sincere that I couldn't refuse them at all.

I was just going through the motions.

Unexpectedly, the very talented young man that Yulongdu mentioned was also here.

Although he didn't want to give Lance face, since Dragonite had said so, he was still willing to give the boy some pointers.

They found out where the boy lived.

Before he even got close, Shiba witnessed a scene that shocked him throughout his many years of cultivation.

At that time, Ash was squatting on the training ground with a row of bottles and jars in front of him.

He didn't take it seriously at first.

As for nutrition, he mixes two cans of special protein powder with water every morning, eats it, and then warms up – a routine he has maintained for thirty years without fail.